Dogs and Turkey Hunting

[Joe T]

My dog Enzo got me into hunting 2 years ago.  In fact, I always say that Enzo hunts and I just pull the trigger for him!  I have always said that I won’t turkey hunt because he isn’t included.  The thought of his sad eyes watching me slip out of the door predawn in my camo just rips my heart out.  Am I right?  Is there any way I can take him with me?  He is really steady in the duck blind. Do any of you guys take your dogs when you Turkey hunt?  Or do I need to pack my camo and sneak out wearing my work suit and changing at the field?

Edited February 15 by Joe T
Spelling error

[mowin]

Enzo know how much you enjoy hunting.  He'll forgive you.  A little extra belly rub and he'll forget about you cheating on him, lol. 

[Robhuntandfish]

Take a pop up blind with you.  

[mowin]

17 minutes ago, Robhuntandfish said:

Take a pop up blind with you.  

Is it legal, or possibly causing issues with a DEC officer?  I guess if you were hunting private lands, no biggie, but on public, I could see others calling encon. 

Joe.. go hunting.  If you decide to try turkey hunting and want to make a trip to northern Columbia county, I'd be happy to help you out. 

Edited February 15 by mowin

[Joe T]

4 minutes ago, mowin said:

Is it legal, or possibly causing issues with a DEC officer?  I guess if you were hunting private lands, no biggie, but on public, I could see others calling encon. 

I am curious what the legal issue would be?  Can you explain?

[mowin]

Just now, Joe T said:

I am curious what the legal issue would be?  Can you explain?

I don't think dogs are legal to use for spring Turkey hunting.  Even though you're not using Enzo in a hunting aspect, I could see encon giving you a difficult time or a possible citation. 

[Joe T]

1 minute ago, mowin said:

I don't think dogs are legal to use for spring Turkey hunting.  Even though you're not using Enzo in a hunting aspect, I could see encon giving you a difficult time or a possible citation. 

I have never seen anything on that- I will reach out to DEC for clarification.

[mowin]

Just now, Joe T said:

I have never seen anything on that- I will reach out to DEC for clarification.

Ya, I know you can use dogs during the fall turkey season, but not in the spring.  

I could see you getting a citation if you have Enzo with you on a spring hunt. 

[Joe T]

@mowin is that because in the Spring they are breeding and if the dog tried to flush them it would be disruptive of that activity?  That would make sense why they wouldn’t want dogs out there then.

[Mattypotpie8s]

I’d ask Enzo, clearly he’s the boss 

[mowin]

1 minute ago, Joe T said:

@mowin is that because in the Spring they are breeding and if the dog tried to flush them it would be disruptive of that activity?  That would make sense why they wouldn’t want dogs out there then.

Yes,  spring flocks are hunted totally different from fall flocks.  

In the fall, a popular technique is to locate a flock, usually hens and poults and scatter them.  You want the birds to go in all different directions. The young birds get lonely in a few minutes and you might be able to call on in. But if one of the hens starts calling, your going to loose the calling game, lol.

Most use the dog to break up the flock thoroughly.  

[Bucksnbows]

I had two highly trained Brittanies. Both of them got upset when I went hunting game they couldn’t hunt with me. They get over it. You’re the boss, not the dog and that’s important to remember. 

[Joe T]

@Bucksnbows thanks for framing the issue appropriately!  

[Bond,James Bond]

15 minutes ago, Joe T said:

I am curious what the legal issue would be?  Can you explain?

  Definitely  take him out for Fall Turkey Hunting. He might Flush up a Whole Flock for You. You might get presented a Awesome wing Shooting opportunity  Pheasant  Dogs will absolutely  go Bunkers over Wild Turkey Scent.  

   

 

[Joe T]

@mowin thanks for describing the Fall technique- how does the Spring one differ?